The origins of the Welsh name Kidwal go back to the ancient Celtic culture that existed in the hills and Moors of Wales. The forbears that initially held the name Kidwal once lived in the town of Kidwelly, which is situated in the Welsh region of Dyfed. The Normans noted the strategic importance of this town, which is bordered by the coastline and two minor valleys. The town features a magnificent castle which dates from the 13th century; however, this stands on the site of a previous castle built in 1094, by William de Londres. The surname Kidwal belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Kidwal Early Origins

The surname Kidwal was first found in Dyfed a former county, and the ancient Welsh Kingdom of Pwyll, Lord of Dyfed in South-west Wales, comprised of the present day counties of Pembroke, Carmarthen, and Cardigan, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Kidwal Spelling Variations

Kidwal Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Kidwal name over the years has been spelled Kidwelly, Kidwelley, Kidwell, Kidwall, Kedwell and others.

Kidwal Early History

Kidwal Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kidwal research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1094, 1589 and 1747 are included under the topic Early Kidwal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kidwal Early Notables (pre 1700)

Kidwal Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Kidwal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Kidwal: J.H. Kidwell, who sailed to San Francisco in 1851.

Library of Congress. American and English Genealogies in the Library of Congress. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1967. Print.

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The Kidwal Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Kidwal Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.